3 Padre Pio Prayers and the Padre Pio Novena

 

 

The following three prayers were favorites of Padre Pio as is the Padre Pio novena.

 

1) My past O Lord to thy mercy, my present to thy love, my future to thy providence.

 

2) Efficacious Novena To The Sacred Heart Of Jesus

I. O my Jesus, You have said, ‘Truly I say to you, ask and it will be given you, seek and you will find, knock and it will be opened to you.’

Behold, I knock, I seek and ask for the grace of…

Our Father... Hail Mary... Glory be to the Father... Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in you.

II. O my Jesus, You have said, ‘Truly I say to you, if you ask anything of the Father in my name, He will give it to you.’

Behold, in Your name, I ask the Father for the grace of…

Our Father... Hail Mary... Glory be to the Father... Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in you.

III. O my Jesus, You have said, ‘Truly I say to you, heaven and earth will pass away but my words will not pass away.’ Encouraged by Your infallible words, I now ask for the grace of…

Our Father... Hail Mary...Glory be to the Father... Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in you.

O Sacred Heart of Jesus, for whom it is impossible not to have compassion on the afflicted, have pity on us poor sinners and grant us the grace which we ask of You, through the Sorrowful and Immaculate heart of Mary, Your tender mother and ours.

Hail, Holy Queen... St. Joseph, foster father of Jesus, pray for us.

 

3) The Rosary. Padre Pio had a special devotion to the Rosary. Padre Pio instructed his spiritual daughters: “In all the free time you have, once you have finished your duties of state, you should kneel down and pray the Rosary. Pray the Rosary before the Blessed Sacrament or before a Crucifix.”

Padre Pio, born Francesco Forgione on May 25, 1887, in Pietrelcina, Italy, is one of the most revered figures of the 20th century. Known for his piety, humility, and extraordinary spiritual gifts, Padre Pio's life is a testament to faith, devotion, and the miraculous.

Early Life and Calling

Francesco Forgione was raised in a devout Catholic family in the small town of Pietrelcina, where his religious inclinations were apparent from a young age. At five years old, he experienced his first vision of Jesus and the Virgin Mary, foreshadowing the extraordinary spiritual journey that lay ahead. His family supported his religious vocation, and at the age of 15, Francesco entered the novitiate of the Capuchin Friars in Morcone, taking the name Friar Pio.

Spiritual Gifts and Stigmata

Padre Pio's life was marked by extraordinary phenomena, the most well-known being the stigmata — the wounds of Christ appearing on his body. On September 20, 1918, while praying in the choir loft of the monastery of San Giovanni Rotondo, Padre Pio received the stigmata, visible wounds on his hands, feet, and side, resembling those of Jesus crucified. The stigmata remained with him for 50 years until his death, causing him physical pain but also serving as a profound spiritual symbol for millions.

 

 

Ministry and Charism

Despite suffering from the stigmata and various health issues throughout his life, Padre Pio dedicated himself tirelessly to ministry. He heard confessions for hours each day, sometimes up to 16 hours, offering spiritual counsel and guidance to countless people.

 

Katharina Tangeri described going to confession to Padre Pio:

“…Padre Pio began with his asking us how long it had been since our last confession. This first question established contact between Padre Pio and the penitent; it suddenly seemed as if Padre Pio knew everything about us. If his [the penitent’s] answers were unclear or inexact, he would correct them; we would get the feeling that… his eye could see our soul as it really was before God.”[17] excerpt from Padre Pio: A Catholic priest who worked miracles and bore the wounds of Jesus Christ on His Body by Brother Michael Dimond.

His reputation for holiness and miraculous abilities spread, drawing pilgrims from around the world to San Giovanni Rotondo.

 

 

Controversy and Scrutiny

Padre Pio's extraordinary gifts and mystical experiences also attracted skepticism and scrutiny from Church authorities. He faced investigations into his stigmata and other phenomena, enduring periods of restrictions and isolation. However, throughout these trials, he maintained his humility and obedience to his superiors, trusting in God's will.

Miracles and Healings

Padre Pio's ministry was accompanied by numerous reported miracles and healings. Many people have been miraculously cured of illnesses after praying to him or receiving his blessing. These accounts contributed to his growing popularity and devotion among the faithful, solidifying his reputation as a miracle worker.


Devotion and Influence

Padre Pio's influence extends far beyond his lifetime. Countless individuals around the world pray to him for intercession, seeking his guidance and blessings. His example of unwavering faith, devotion to God, and selfless service continues to inspire people of all backgrounds and denominations.

 

Padre Pio and the Rosary – excerpt from Padre Pio: A Catholic priest who worked miracles and bore the wounds of Jesus Christ on His Body

Padre Pio instructed his spiritual daughters: “In all the free time you have, once you have finished your duties of state, you should kneel down and pray the Rosary. Pray the Rosary before the Blessed Sacrament or before a Crucifix.”

Concerning the Rosary, Our Lady herself said to Padre Pio: “With this weapon you will win.” Convinced of the power of the Rosary, Padre Pio always held the Rosary in his hands. When his death was approaching, he recommended the Rosary to his spiritual children by saying: “Love Our Lady and make her loved. Always recite the rosary.

Padre Pio on the Rosary as the Weapon

As Padre Pio was getting into bed (a few days before he died), he said to friars who were in his room, “Give me my weapon!” And the friars, surprised and curious, asked him: “Where is the weapon? We cannot see anything!” Padre Pio replied: “It is in my habit, which you have just hung up!” After having gone through the pockets of his religious habit, the friars said to him: “Padre, there is no weapon in your habit!... we can only find your rosary beads there!” Padre Pio immediately said: “And is this not a weapon?... the true weapon?!” Padre Pio wore the Rosary around his arm at night.

Padre Pio in Popular Culture

Padre Pio's life has inspired numerous books, films, and artworks, perpetuating his legacy and spreading awareness of his remarkable story. His image, often depicted with his hands covered by bandages symbolizing the stigmata, is iconic in Catholic iconography and is recognized worldwide.

 

Padre Pio talking about the Church

"Around 1960 the famous Roman exorcist Gabriele Amorth (+2016) met Padre Pio of Pietrelcina (+1968) and talked with him about the third secret of Fatima. Amorth speaks about this in an interview from 2011, published only recently as a book entitled 'The Best Kept Secret of Fatima'.

Padre Pio told Father Amorth: 'Satan has been introduced into the bosom of the Church and he will within a very short time come to rule a false Church.' Amorth says that Padre Pio was 'really tormented' by one issue that is 'the great apostasy within the Church'." Source.

Conclusion

Padre Pio remains a towering figure in Catholicism and a symbol of faith, compassion, and spiritual strength. His life was marked by profound suffering and extraordinary grace, making him a beacon of hope and inspiration for millions. Through his ministry, miracles, and enduring legacy, Padre Pio continues to touch the hearts of those who seek solace, healing, and divine guidance.

In reflecting on Padre Pio's life, one cannot help but be struck by the depth of his faith and the intensity of his commitment to God and humanity. His journey from a humble Italian village to the heights of recognition serves as a powerful reminder of the transformative power of faith and the enduring legacy of those who dedicate their lives to serving others.

We recommend including a Padre Pio novena in your daily prayers. Another powerful saint to have a devotion to is Saint Rita. Read about Saint Rita here.

 

Have you ever wondered why Catholics pray to saints? We took a look at this questions and you can read what we discovered here. Why Catholics pray to saints.